[OKDXA] Drop-in replacements for T2X

[Kimberly Elmore]

I've been using the HyGain/CDE T2X rotor ever since I put up my tower back in CO. I have two, so I always have a spare, but I've grown weary the inevitable failures. I put a rebuilt one up about 6 mos ago and it failed by getting stuck. I replaced it using a rented lift (my tower is only about 48 ft up to the rotor) and it was Not Fun. The rotor was stuck such that we had to manually rotate the antennas to get the new one in. It didn't help that the Rotor-EZ board in my controller failed so that I couldn't orient it to a better position to work with (I've ordered and Green Heron RT-21 out of frustration with Rob Locher's lack of response at Idiom Press). Jim, W5JO, came to help -- because of the wind, I would not have been able to do this alone. I found gear teeth in the failed rotor one, but I haven't disassembled the rotor to find out which gear(s) have failed. 

The lift makes this much easier than hanging off a harness, but the lift is expensive to rent ($290/day with tax), is not fun to trailer around, and the process of swapping out the rotor always has an "Oh, rats!" moment when I learn that it's not going to go according to plan because of this or that, because I didn't bring a tool I didn't expect to need, have to deal with seized SS hardware or rusty steel hardware  (I've learned how to avoid the SS seizing), etc. 

Do any of you know of a more-or-less drop-in replacement for the T2X? I'm mainly concerned with the height of the unit to the potential bottom of the mast. To raise or lower the last will require me to lower the tower, requiring a crane, etc. I could possibly move the mounting plate up or down to accommodate a different height, but that would be... Unpleasant. RI'm using an HDBX-48 tower and the mast ticks down to within about 1/4" of the top of the T2X. I can't find documentation of the dimensions from the bottom to the top of the bell housing, so I'll measure that tonight.

My antennas consist of a KLM-KT34A, a Cushcraft DW3 dipole, an Arrow 2 m/70 cm dual-band corner reflector and a Cushcraft 40-CD2 beam, which add up to a bit over 13 sq ft wind load. I've been considering either a ProSisTel PST2051, an AlfaSpid RAK or an Orion 2800. The Orion seems very expensive and the AlfaSpid has an odd mounting method. The ProSisTel looks the most amenable, but all have their features and faults. 

I'm open to suggestions, insights, and ideas!

Kim N5OP